VW Polo Power Steering Fault
Before contacting Smith’s of London, Mr G’s Polo had already been seen for a VW power steering repair elsewhere.
The repair had been carried out.
The VW Polo power steering fault remained.
The warning light was still illuminated, and power steering assistance had not returned. Low-speed driving remained difficult, with the steering heavier than it should have been. Whatever was preventing the system from operating normally was still present.
With the issue continuing, Mr G wanted to understand why the power steering had not come back and what was stopping the system from working as intended.
The next step was to book the Volkswagen Polo into Smith’s of London in Croydon for a full technical evaluation. That meant stepping away from what had already been done and finding the root cause of the problem, our way.
With the vehicle scheduled in, attention turned to identifying how the fault could be resolved correctly.
First Stage Review of VW Polo Power Steering Fault
When Mr G’s Volkswagen Polo arrived at Smith’s of London in Croydon, the reported steering concern could be confirmed straight away. Power steering assistance was not available, and a steering warning light was illuminated on the dashboard.
We then reviewed the steering work that had already been carried out prior to the vehicle coming to us. A steering pump and motor unit had previously been replaced, but the VW Polo power steering fault remained unchanged. With the symptoms consistent, we moved into the first stage of technical evaluation.
Initial checks focused on the steering system and the recently installed components. The pump and motor unit showed no visible signs of damage, and there was no evidence of fluid leakage, loose connections, or disturbed wiring. As no obvious mechanical issues were identified at this point, electronic testing was required.
The steering control module was checked using Volkswagen dealer-level diagnostic equipment. One stored fault code was identified:
- Fault code 00816 Power Steering Sensor (G250)
Fault code 00816 power steering sensor (G250) relates to a signal issue within the steering system. However, at this stage, the presence of the code alone did not explain why steering assistance had been disabled. It was not yet possible to determine whether the fault related to the sensor itself, pump compatibility, system configuration following installation, or another factor within the steering system.
With the fault code recorded and the symptoms matching what we observed during testing, we moved on to the next stage of the diagnostic process to understand why the steering system had shut down and what was preventing assistance from returning.
Detailed Investigation of Fault Code 00816
With fault code 00816 still present and the VW Polo power steering fault unresolved after the initial checks, we moved into a more detailed investigation. At this point, the aim was to understand what the steering system was waiting for and why assistance was being withheld.
Rather than jumping to conclusions, each check was carried out in turn, allowing us to rule things out one by one.
Step 1: Confirming electrical supply to the steering pump
We started with the basics by confirming that the steering pump and motor unit were receiving the correct electrical supply.
Using Volkswagen wiring information, we identified the main power feed and ground circuits at the pump connector and tested them with the ignition switched on.
What we found:
- Battery voltage was present at the pump.
- The ground circuit was intact.
- No issues were found with the power supply.
This told us straight away that the pump was being supplied correctly, so the issue lay elsewhere.
Step 2: Checking steering system communication and data
With the electrical supply confirmed, we connected our ODIS diagnostic tool to take a closer look at how the steering system was communicating.
We reviewed the stored fault memory and examined the serial data coming from the steering control module.
What we found:
- The steering control module was active and responsive.
- Communication across the vehicle network was normal.
- The signal from the power steering sensor (G250) was missing or invalid.
Because the system could not make sense of the sensor signal, steering assistance had been disabled as a safety measure. This ruled out a complete module failure and narrowed the focus to signal or configuration issues.
Step 3: Verifying steering pump specification
As the steering pump and motor unit had already been replaced before the car arrived with us, the next step was to confirm whether the fitted unit was actually correct for this Volkswagen Polo.
We checked the part number on the vehicle against Volkswagen’s parts database using the VIN and reviewed the steering system variants used on this model.
What we found:
- The pump and motor unit fitted did not match the original specification for this vehicle.
- The internal setup of the unit did not align with what the steering control module was expecting.
This mismatch explained why fault code 00816 power steering sensor (G250) was being logged and why the steering system was unable to process the sensor signal correctly.
Step 4: Confirming coding and configuration status
Even when the right hardware is fitted, steering pump units still need to be coded to the vehicle before they will work correctly.
Using ODIS, we accessed the pump’s control module and checked whether the coding and configuration process had been completed after installation.
What we found:
- The replacement pump and motor unit had not been coded to the vehicle.
- Without correct coding, the steering system could not interpret the sensor signal.
This confirmed the underlying cause of the problem. The previously fitted pump and motor unit was both incompatible with the vehicle and left uncoded, leading to fault code 00816 and the loss of power steering assistance.
VW Power Steering Repair With Correct Part Fitment
Once the cause of the steering fault had been established, we explained to Mr G what the system required to restore power steering and why the earlier work had not resolved the issue. With the repair agreed, we moved ahead with the work.
- The replacement steering pump and motor unit was identified by matching the vehicle’s VIN with Volkswagen’s parts data, ensuring the unit matched the original specification for this particular model.
- Prior to installation, the surrounding area was checked. Wiring, connectors, and hydraulic lines around the rear-mounted steering fluid tank were inspected to confirm there were no signs of damage, leaks, or contamination.
- The incompatible pump and motor unit was removed, and the correct OEM replacement installed. All fixings and connections were tightened in line with manufacturer torque specifications.
- The power steering hydraulic system was refilled with the specified fluid and bled following Volkswagen’s recommended procedure to remove any trapped air from the system.
- Using ODIS, Volkswagen’s dealer-level diagnostic tool, the new pump was coded and configured to the vehicle. This ensured the steering control module could recognise the replacement component correctly.
- The stored fault code was cleared, and the system was tested. The steering warning light switched off, power steering operation returned, and the vehicle behaved as expected during post-repair checks.
Result: Power Steering Problem Resolved
Once the correct pump and motor unit had been fitted and configured, the Volkswagen Polo’s power steering system began functioning as intended. The steering warning light was no longer displayed, and power steering assistance was restored, allowing the car to be driven normally again.
Despite earlier work elsewhere not resolving the fault, our structured technical evaluation enabled the underlying issue to be identified and corrected during a single visit. This reinforced the importance of confirming system compatibility and configuration as part of any steering repair.
During the repair, Mr G was able to stay mobile using our free courtesy car. The work was completed with Smith’s of London’s 12-month parts and labour guarantee, providing added confidence once the vehicle was returned to service.
Technical Experience Behind Every Volkswagen Power Steering Repair
If your VW Polo steering light is on or your VW power steering is not working, it’s important to have the system checked properly so you know what’s causing the problem and what needs to be done next.
At Smith’s of London in Croydon, supporting drivers across Beckenham and Coulsdon, we take time to understand the root cause of a problem before carrying out any VW power steering repair.
Why drivers choose Smith’s of London:
- Technicians experienced in diagnosing Volkswagen steering and power steering faults
- Access to manufacturer data for accurate part matching and correct system coding
- Clear technical evaluations explained in plain language
- 12-month parts and labour guarantee for added peace of mind
Drivers continue to choose Smith’s of London because they value careful work and clear communication, reflected in our {{average-rating}} star Google rating from {{review-count}} reviews.
If you’re dealing with a VW power steering fault or steering warning light, call Smith’s of London on 020 8674 3377 to book a technical evaluation and get clear guidance on what your Volkswagen needs.
